Happy 2014!!! Got any SHOP related resolutions?

Well… Happy New Years to my FAVORITE group of woodworkers. I don’t know about you… but 2013 was a roller coaster. It definitely had it’s ups and downs but my favorite thing about it is that I was able to get an INDOOR shop of my own. Going from a pallet bench and plastic tables outside to a small one car garage of my very own was pretty awesome. I’m getting to spend more and more time in the shop and making things for others. So that is pretty amazing.

So… what shop resolutions do you have this year? I’ve got a million probably. LOL. Here’s one that I’m sure is on every ones list. LOL…. Organizing and keeping clean. What do you say guys? Is that a big one for any of you? I am such a MESSY MESSY MESSY worker. Here is a pretty bad one for you guys to see (why I’m even showing it.. I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’m in such a good mood right now that I don’t mind)

I have a bad habit of not cleaning as I go. I leave stuff out and I end up making a huge mess. There’s times when I will finish up for the night and put things away for the day. But these last few projects had some hectic deadlines and I was pulling some all nighters where I did not clean up. So things got to be their worst.

And I had lots of cut offs… LOTS… Most ended up by my table saw…

These pics were taking after different projects. I did clean a little… but not enough LOL

And of course… my highly sophisticated vertical lumber storage took a hit from me pulling things out and knocking things over. lol (and I don’t even think it’s the worst pic)

But… I managed to get er cleaned up….

Now I can walk all the way around my bench.

And… My wood pile got straightened up. I would say one of my resolutions is to not be a wood hoarder. But there’s no such thing. I’m a “wood collector”. That sounds so much better. :)

But… One resolution is to start using up this pile and MAKE STUFF! No problem with getting lots of wood… as long as I use it up… right?? LOL

So… just a few of my resolutions for 2014 (Shop related)

1) Cleaner and more organized shop2) Use up the lumber and scraps that I have3) Get a dust collection system in place4) Make the bed and other bedroom furniture I’ve been wanting to make5) Add a few tools to my shop… bandsaw and drill press :)6) Come up with a better solution to where I can finish things7) Finish up already started projects (nantucket bench, shoji frame for mom)8) Build a miter saw station and finish tearing out built in bench and come up with a new one9) Spend more time on LJ’s :) and learning

And finally… not that anyone else would agree…10) GET MORE CLAMPS!!!!!!

Happy New Year! Cant wait to see the projects that you guys share this year and to see what your resolutions are :)

35 replies so far

#1 constant battle. Shops will continue to evolve and increase their awesomeness.
#2 I end up posting mine on craigslist for fireplace starter wood
#3 Highly recommend a harbor freight dust collector. You wont find a better deal and it is perfect for your size shop (same size as mine)
#4
#5 Bandsaw and my recent drill press are awesome. The bansaw was the best tool purchase I have ever made.
#6
#7 Totally understand. I have a set of dining chairs waiting to be sanded and stained.
#8 Have you seen John Heisz’s miter saw cabinet? It’s made from dimensional lumber scraps and 1/4” plywood. I made one last year and loved it!
#9
#10 Never can have to many.

Happy New Year Angie! Congrats on your progress and I wish you continued success in 2014.

Oh…. and:11) Install some overhead power drops to keep the cords from underfoot. I use a cord-o-matic on a swinging arm (see my LJ shop posting) 12) Get more clamps! (or make them from some of your scrap)13) Start a “Clamps of Your Dreams” forum on LJ ???14) Get more clamps

Jay… One thing I do plan on doing this summer may seem silly to some… but it’s going to happen as soon as it gets warm out. I’m going to open the garage door and move EVERYTHING out to the drive way. Then rearrange it a bit so that the work flow is better. May seem extreme. But it’s just how I work. lol. And yeah… I know I should just get rid of some of those cut offs and scraps. It’s just hard to let go. Band saw and drill press… really excited about.

Jim… Happy New year to you too :)

Dan… I totally forgot about the drill press. We need to set a date for me to come check it out. Cant wait to come see your shop. :)

Oh… and I guess I have one more thing…. After looking at my hands this morning… I really need to come up with a good skin care solution so that I don’t tear the crap out of my hands. They are looking pretty rough. I may LOVE LOVE LOVE power tools and woodworking… but I am still a girl. I may not be able to keep nails very long… but I’d still like to have soft hands. LOL Anyone else looking for that as a resolution? LOL :)

1) run an electric line dedicated for my dust collector2) make/buy an air filter3) complete the coffee table project that I started about 2 weeks ago4) actually LEARN a finishing technique beyond Watco Danish Oil5) build outdoor raised panel shutters (that I wanted to build for 2013) for my house

Very good Miss Angie. Keeping my shop clean, organized, and more user friendly is on my list. Now that I’m done working at my wife’s house (the rental) I hope to put time into those goals.

I know my shop is a lot cleaner than my dad ever kept his. I remember to this day (some 50 yers later) hearing my mom telling dad to clean up the shop. “your brother Johnny’s shop doesn’t look like this…” Dad would just yell back, “Joannie just stay out of my shop…” I have called my dust collector“

Hey jay, you mention John Heisz’s miter saw cabinet. Is this posted here on LJ or on your web site?

I use a regular plastic garbage can to throw cut offs in.(KEEPS THEM ORGANIZED) When it gets full I just sort and dump. Of course as soon as you do that the piece you threw away yesterday would work perfect for your new application :-)

Angie, the first few pics look like my shop after a cleanup. Lol! So needless to say cleaning up more often and being more organized is first on my list as well. Starting a project and seeing it through before starting another ( or 5) is also on my list. New tools, especially clamps. Dan K, it seems that I have the exact same dust collection system as you and it works perfect! I think that’s about it for my resolutions, I’ll make up more as I go. Happy New Year everyone!!!

When I am working on a project things get messy too Angie, but when so much clutter is underfoot it can be inherently dangerous with a high tripping likeliehood.Now we don’t want to read about you stumbling over those trip hazards and falling into a machine which is very dangerous.But like you we all I suppose get messy moments I definitely do myself but I always clean up big time at the end of a project with help from my boys and a good clear up at the end of the working day. Alistair A happy new year to you too my dear young lady and to all my friends here too. Brotherly Love Alistair

I would definitely consider moving the priority for dust collection up on your 2014 list for your health and your family. My shop list is fairly short and highest priority is to build a plane till and further upgrade my dust collection. Other than that, I need more shop time to work my way through the very long list of pending projects. And Happy New Year to you and yours.

Ahh yes, the always changing “shop re-distribution” of tools, equipment, and supplies… LOL Happy New Year. We’ll all work/play safe in the shop. Like our parents told us way back (further for some), put your toys away when yer done playin with em…. :) I’m gonna try and move a wall to get another 150 sq. ft. more space. We’ll see how that plays out. Oh, and I almost forgot, nice cleanup job there.